SLMC

Zak Claxton · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 2010 Location: Podul/33/243/154/

I don't much care where/how Frank got to be Frank. I'm just happy he did.

I had the opportunity to hang out with Dweezil and Steve Vai a couple of years ago, discussing Frank, and they both still were emotional at his memory. His entire body of work is simply astounding. What a genius.
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Nad · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 542 Location: at my puter.

My first *cough* exposure to Zappa was in 1966 when I got the Mothers of Invention 'Freak Out' LP. It was a mix of 50s dowap, 60s boy-with-broken heart-laments, and pre-views of coming attractions from psychedelic to pink floyd noise making - all done in that unique satiric frame of reference Zappa would never let go of. There was nothing like it at the time. It was the first real hippie album I can recall... it may have been a year later it had its effect on the music scene (I guess on the timing and the alleged effect). Today my favorite FZ is 'Moving to Montana' - both lyrically and musically a true and timeless piece of art.

edit: and oh yeah - this was a debut DOUBLE album - unheard of and lol uncalled for.
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Pocket · Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Ireland

Kim Seifert · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 212 Location: Ohio

Hi hon. I don't have the mixer with the ipod docking station. For the tracks, I just use a player that plugs in directly to the mixer. The only thing I modified there was to use 1/8" to 1/4" jack adapters. The tracks I use are professional ones that I have bought and are not in mp3 form. The tracks made by sl musicians are in mp3 form but I have burned those onto cds and use those in the cd player the same as I do the professional tracks so I have no idea how to help you with setting up an ipod or using it with the mixer. I am so sorry.

I have added new gear since that post, a large diaphragm mic with a tube preamp and my ibanez acoustic electric guitar but they just take up an extra channel using xlr cables.
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Pocket · Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Ireland

okay Kim...thanks.... Smile

I really wish this were as simple as RL gigging.... Very Happy

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Miss Cyberpink · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:12 am Post subject:

Ok, for producing/remixing, I use:

Intel Core2 Duo 4.16GHz, 4GB RAM, 2x500GB + 1x750GB HDD, M-Audio Audiophile Delta 2496 sound card, Nvidia GeForce 8800GTX

Propellerheads Reason 4
Ableton Live 6
Adobe Audition 1.5
Propellerheads ReBirth 2
Propellerheads ReCycle 2

Novation ReMote25 hardware controller & Yamaha CS1x (as another hardware controller)

For DJing, I use:

Native Instruments Traktor 3.3
Mouse/Keyboard although at some point, I might be getting an M-Audio Torq Xponent controller.
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Silas Scarborough · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 1635 Location: None

You've got a pretty sweet setup there, Miss, but I didn't see any provision for backup. You might want to consider a Western Digital external drive and to activate Time Machine. The backup process with Time Machine is almost transparent. The box slows a little during the copy process but it's negligible. It's transparent with respect to intervention from you as nothing is required at all; it just runs in the background.

The drive I'm using is WD with 2 TB capacity to back up 1 TB internal. I'd tell you the exact model but the clever minimalist designers require that only the most useless of information will be presented in clear sight.
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Find a place to play and I'll roll the P.A. anywhere
If you want to play, bring yer guitar

FionaSzondi · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan, USA

OH MY HEAD!

Thanks to all of you who have posted about your equipment. I'm new to the forum and new to music in SL--in fact, I haven't done any performing at all in years (aside from the shower, always the shower!). I know nothing about what I need, thus my head is now spinning and I think I need a nap!

Simply put: I am on a MacBook Pro 2.4 w/2GB RAM. I am a singer who is learning (slowly) to play a little guitar. I have backing tracks on iTunes which I think I'll be dumping into GarageBand (or running straight outta iTunes???) and running through Nicecast. I do not have a mic yet--looking at the SM58. I'm wondering about the audio interface/preamp situation. This is where I get completely lost. I do not anticipate needing ProTools ever...GarageBand seems more than sufficient for me if I ever get into a bit of recording.

Anyone? Anyone? Is this the right place to post this? I can cross post it or delete and re-post if I'm in the wrong place...and thanks for any help/advice!

Silas Scarborough · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 1635 Location: None

Fiona, the best news is that you're way ahead already with the Mac. You absolutely wouldn't believe the gimcrackery that people use to hook things into the sound cards on PCs and you won't have to do any of that.

I've got a Focusrite Saffire two-channel USB audio interface that would work well for you. I'll be more than happy to send it to you as I need eight channels for what I do so the Focusrite is just sitting in a corner.

If it's ok, with you, I'll just send it and you can send whatever you think it's worth on Paypal if you think it's a good solution for you. Sending a private message here on SLMC would be the easiest way to get your address to me. (I'm assuming you're not in Europe so shipping should be trivial and I'll pick that up.)

You've already got Nicecast and that's a good pick. In fact, I don't know of any Mac owner who uses any other streaming software for SL.

GarageBand works very well with Nicecast as you identify within Nicecast that GB is the audio source and you're done.

Here's a tip on using your backing tracks. Import all of them, yes, all of them into GarageBand as separate tracks and then mute them all. Create a track for your mike via the Focusrite and set it to record and be sure to turn Monitor to On. When you're ready to sing, unmute the track for the tune you want, verify again the mike is set for record, and hit play. You're jammin'! (Don't you wish you had a PC! lol)

As to the mike, that discussion can take on religious fervor but you can't go wrong with the SM-58 as they're virtually indestructible. However, for not much more, you can get a Marshall MXL-2003 for about $150 which is much more sensitive although more vulnerable. (The SM-58 will probably run $100 or a little less) Don't even THINK about using one without a pop shield. Also, don't run out and buy one just because I like it - I'm not a singer - ask around and you'll likely find most SL singers who are getting a good sound are using some variety of condensor mike like the MXL-2003.

Musician's Friend and zZounds are quite good resources and, given the state of the economy, you should be able to get free shipping just about anywhere. Also, if you can prove the online price, Guitar Center will usually match it.
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Silas Scarborough
Silas World Tour Blog
Find a place to play and I'll roll the P.A. anywhere
If you want to play, bring yer guitar

FionaSzondi · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan, USA

Thanks! You'll be getting a PM from me soon, Silas!

As far as mics go, I'll just head out to Guitar Center and try some out. I realize that the mic one uses is dependent on the voice one has so that seems the best route. I'm also thinking a condenser is a better idea as playing a gig in SL tends to be rather more like a studio (at least in my instance) than an actual live gig -- Thanks Norris, I think that was very nearly a direct quote!

Damn. If I get all my gear all set then I have no excuse not to play. Wink

(Apparently there's is a little bit of nervousness in putting myself out there after so long a hiatus...eek!) Smile